The Palin' Identity

by: Kai

Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 14:26:34 PM EST

What's extraordinary is that this time around — at this particular crossroads, against this particular candidate — it's not working.

The beauty of US history is that years, decades, centuries of persistent popular struggle have resulted in dramatic social, political, and cultural changes in the continuing quest for greater common good. The ugliness of US history is that at every step, reactionaries have undertaken — and many others have tolerated — all manner of inner and outer violence in a greed- and fear-based desire to impose and maintain exclusionary power schemes. I view the 2008 presidential election as some sort of forward step along this trajectory. I hesitate to either overstate or understate the historical significance of what we're witnessing. We're way too close to the moment's clamor to know just what it means in a larger scope.

Not that this is about to stop me from sounding off now.

Immigration Raids Destroy Community Progress: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Wed Oct 22, 2008 at 12:00:00 PM EDT

Check out this video from The Unapologetic Mexican titled That One Bigot.

From Why Am I Not Surprised - Be Bold, Be Red on October 30:

Thanks to The Unapologetic Mexican, I was reminded this week that a year ago (and it hardly seems possible that it could have been that long already), the Be Bold! Be Red! campaign called on men and women from coast to coast to organize to fight violence against women of color. Since that time, we have seen publicized multiple cases of such violence, a ridiculous number of them involving women in Iraq, such as Pvt. LaVena Johnson, brutally beaten before being murdered and disfigured in an attempt to hide the identity of the perpetrator(s). The official ruling on the case from the Army? Suicide.

Presidential Debate - No Talk On Immigration: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 09:12:20 AM EDT

Last night McCain defended his own wealth by claiming Obama wants to take money from the middle class. He used a white male, Joe the plumber, as a representative of the middle class. Joe does not represent the struggling class of this country. White males have had the upper hand since they took this land from the natives.  While Joe may be an 'everman'  he is not representative of those most needing help in this country country. 

The only mention of immigration I noted was McCain's claim that Obama is misrepresenting his views on the subject. Why then didn't provide those views in the debate when he had the chance? We all know that McCain attacked Obama on Spanish language television claiming that he voted against pro-migrant legislation which was false. But let's face it - they're both unwilling to discuss this subject in public while even Obama has used the Spanish ad tactic.  People's lives are being destroyed in this country everyday through immigration raids.  Please be sure to support the Fast For Our Future campaign.

Checking out the live blogging of last night's debate at Zuky I like the comment - "complete spending freeze--can we start with the war?" from rr. Good point. Will McCain's spending freeze mean no money going to the war. Sounds good to me, but they need to get the troops back first.

Día de la Raza: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Mon Oct 13, 2008 at 08:26:53 AM EDT

Happy Día de la Raza! from The Unapologetic Mexican. 

Today marks the day we recognize the European GoldThirsters coming upon humans they never met before; the era that Italian, French, and Spanish LandWanters came sailing onto shores where other people lived; the time that yet provides the template still acted upon in many ways.

Today in New York 35,000 people are expected to march in the Columbus Day Parade. We know that Columbus was not the first to discover America. His voyage to the Americas was simply an early demonstration on how European countries felt they were entitled to take anything they wanted. As this type of thought continued it resulted in the end of many civilizations and the beginning of many others. Personally I believe celebrating Columbus Day is akin to celebrating the greed that is currently destroying us - just as it destroyed so many others back in Columbus' day.

HUD has stepped in to discount the bogus claims that immigrants are responsible for the current mortgage crisis. From Mexico Trucker.

Campaigns Silent On Immigration: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Fri Oct 10, 2008 at 08:45:02 AM EDT

While the Obama campaign filled out The Sanctuary's questionnaire on immigration and foreign policy issues the McCain campaign remained silent. In the debates both candidates have been silent on this issue.

After three debates involving the Obama-Biden and McCain-Palin candidates, the one subject that has not come up is immigration. - Greg Siskind's Blog

Ironically, though, Escobedo said, the election's outcome could hinge on how each candidate frames immigration and how many Latino votes he can win in four swing states: Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida. - Nuestra Voice

Fasting For Migrant Rights: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 08:43:49 AM EDT

Another huge raid occurred - this time in Greenville, SC. 300 migrants were swept up and now their families wait for answers. As immigration is swept behind the financial crisis ICE quietly keeps moving forward. DHS itself seems to have a problem handling the taxpayer's money. (reported at Citizen Orange, Dream Act Texas and Immigration Talk With A Mexican American.)

Join The Rise Movement in their quest to bring attention to migrant rights through fasting.

21 DAYS BEFORE THE 2008 ELECTION THE LARGEST HUNGER STRIKE IN U.S. HISTORY CALLING ON ONE MILLION PEOPLE TO SIGN A PLEDGE TO VOTE FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

The Encampment: The encampment for the Fast is in the public area of La Placita Olvera and will include tents, a stage, work areas, and a rest area for fasters and supporters. Olvera Street is an historic monument and plaza known as "the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles". The address is:

Holding Migrants For Profit: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 08:11:17 AM EDT

If the anti-migrant ideal is to "deport, deport, deport" then why are migrants being held so long in detention centers?

Yesterday was the last day to register to vote. Hopefully you're all set. Now the challenge is to get to the polls and make your voice heard. It also wouldn't hurt to volunteer and make sure that no funny business goes on at the polling sites. Most importantly we have to keep on those people we elect making sure they're actually doing what the people want done.

Some have tried to blame the financial crisis on migrants, but it seems the truth is they have a lower foreclosure rate than citizens.

Standing FIRM brings us news of a new Breakthrough game titled Homeland Guantanamos. Download a copy and tell us what you think.

All Our Problems - Migrants To Blame: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 09:16:42 AM EDT

No To Borders and Binaries provides a good breakdown of the financial meltdown. May have been predicting this day for some time and as we all know there's been no oversight. Even after the devastating collapse of Enron, and other companies, the government's done nothing to protect the American people from the greed of corporations who seem to make money out of thin air. No need to plant a tree in the back yard when you can just wiggle your nose. 

The Wall Of Greed: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Thu Sep 25, 2008 at 09:13:16 AM EDT

$700 Billion Bailout + $400 Million Border Wall = You do the Math. This is a great title given the fact that the border wall is representative of the same US greed that's gotten us into this crisis. While it's not a greed that everyone is a part of it does exist within those that have the power to manipulate money and build walls. Are we building a fence to keep people out or just to keep them from seeing the country crumble?

Immigrants in the USA Blog always provides positive stories on immigrants learning and becoming part of America. In this post we learn of teachers from Holland, MI who travelled to Mexico to place themselves in a situation similar to that which migrants face when they come to the USA.

Also read the story of a child whose father came to the US as an undocumented migrant.

After the spanish air wars- can we please get down to business?

by: jackie @ americasvoice

Mon Sep 22, 2008 at 02:10:37 AM EDT

Last week was a bit surreal. The McCain campaign launched a Spanish-language ad whose premise was so absurd that we were forced to respond with our own video and petition.

The video, "McCain: Champion or politican on Immigration?" asked the question: will McCain finally stand up and be the champion he once was on immigration reform, or has he already folded to his own Party's severely anti-solution Platform?

Frank Sharry, Executive Director at America's Voice and a long-time force in the comprehensive immigration reform movement, delves deeper into last week's Spanish-language ad wars:

It's really too bad that John McCain has backed away from his earlier leadership on immigration reform. Unfortunately, he felt that he had to pander to the anti-immigration elements of his own party to become their nominee. But to turn around and try to blame Obama and the Democrats for the failure of reform--after his own party blocked the bill in 2006 AND 2007--is breathtakingly false.

Unfortunately Obama's response ad, also in Spanish, raises some credibility concerns of its own. The Obama ad tries to link John McCain to right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh, a foe of immigration reform, and uses some salacious quotes from Limbaugh to stir the pot.

So Obama's campaign was not blameless in last week's Spanish ad wars, stepping over a line that didn't need to be crossed to make a point. If they'd wanted some "choice" quotes from anti-reform activists, they needed only scratch the surface to find these "gems":

"On the other side, you have people who hate America, and they hate it because it's run primarily by white, Christian men. Let me repeat that. America is run primarily by white, Christian men, and there is a segment of our population who hates that, despises that power structure. So they, under the guise of being compassionate, want to flood the country with foreign nationals, unlimited, unlimited, to change the complexion pardon the pun of America. Now, that's hatred, too." Bill O'Reilly, "Bill O'Reilly" radio show, May 29, 2007, speaking about people who wanted to ease restrictions in a Senate immigration bill

"So invasive species like mollusks and spermatozoa are not good, and we've got a federal judge say, 'You can't bring it in here,' but invasive species in the form of illegal immigration is fine and dandy bring 'em on, as many as possible, legalize them wherever we can, wherever they go, no matter what they clog up. So we're going to break the bank; we're going to bend over backwards. The federal judiciary is going to do everything it can to stop spermatozoa and mollusks from coming in, but other invasive species? We're supposed to bend over and grab the ankles and say, 'Deal with it.' ... We're not going to be able to bring 'em in now, but invasive species that, say, on their own power and of their own desire and volition cross the border and come here, we can't say diddly-squat about it." - Rush Limbaugh, "The Rush Limbaugh Show," April 1, 2005

So where do we go from here?

Here's what we've offerred as a "Memo to the Candidates on Immigration":

Two aggressive immigration ads later, we're no closer to talking about real solutions to the broken immigration system. As stated in today's New York Times editorial, "Meanwhile, the Bush administration keeps raiding factories and farms, terrorizing immigrant families while exposing horrific accounts of workplace abuses. Children toil in slaughterhouses; detainees languish in federal lockups, dying without decent medical care. Day laborers are harassed and robbed of wages. An ineffective border fence is behind schedule and millions over budget. Local enforcers drag citizens and legal residents into their nets, to the cheers of the Minutemen."

We at America's Voice would like to offer this challenge to both candidates: Be honest with us. Use the time remaining in your campaigns and the upcoming Presidential debates to tell us your plan for immigration reform. How will you design it, how will you pass it into law, and how will you implement it [...]

Now there's a crazy idea- let's quit the name-calling and get down to business. For instance, Senator McCain has yet to respond to The Sanctuary's questionnaire on immigration reform and other issues that Latino voters care deeply about.

As organizations and grass-roots activists across the country join together to turn out the immigrant and Latino vote in unprecedented numbers this election, we hope that both Parties will heed this call:

Seriously, it's about time the candidates started talking about immigration again. But now, can we talk about it seriously? 

Ike's Rolling In - Be Safe: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 09:56:41 AM EDT

An Ike update from Para Justicia y Libertad.  My family is also riding out the storm and I'll be getting updates from them.  They're actually in Pasadena which is a little south of Houston.  Thankfully, even during Hurricane Alicia (which I experienced as a child) we were ok.

A nativist is set to be appointed to the Strategic Task Force for Prince William Country. He doesn't believe the immigration issue is about economics - it's about an "invasion."

It seems the McCain campaign is dishing out a few mistruths. Some are pointed out at Dream Act Texas and another pointed out by yave.

Obama blasts McCain on his abandonment of immigration reform stating "So, you've got to ask yourself: if Sen. McCain won't stand up to opponents of reform at his own convention, how can you trust him to stand up for change in Washington?"

Who Deserves A Dobbsy?: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Tue Sep 09, 2008 at 09:18:18 AM EDT

Calling All Hatewatchers: Introducing the Dobbsy at Hatewatch Blog. A Dobbsy sounds like a Dundee, but it's "a new tongue-in-cheek award, to be given to "mainstream" figures -- politicians, pundits, preachers and pedants -- who make utterly false or misleading statements that have the effect of denigrating or defaming an entire group of people."

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! Only Time Can Change Me, But YOU Can´t THIS TIME!! at Immigration Talk With A Mexican American.

We Americans are turning into sheep. We follow along with the Administration´s political bidding. We fear what they say to fear. We believe what they say to believe. These changes reminded me of the pre-Civil Rights days. I thought we were beyond racial anger. Sure there has been some discrimination but that is not the norm nor the mainstream. I have to tell you here and now. I do not like these changes and neither do any of the minorities I know. This is the reason many of us have gone to the internet and created blogs and joined the PRO Blogosphere. Now the current candidates for President are talking about Change.

ACT NOW: Latinos and Other Minorities Being Disenfranchised at Eristic Ragemail.

In recent national elections there have been some pretty blatant disenfranchisement of minority voters. When the Republicans cannot win by using wedge issues to divide and conquer they resort to dirty tricks.

Which America Do You Want To Live In?: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 08:13:18 AM EDT

The GOP actually needs an army now, to make itself evident and dare celebrate anything in public. They have lied, killed, they laugh while we suffer with health problems or bemoan the loss of life and humanity. They bring their army to protect them from the voice of the People they supposedly serve.

Alaskonquista: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Fri Sep 05, 2008 at 09:13:04 AM EDT

You may remember Nezua's The ReKongKangKeesta (And Other Varieties) - G. Gordon Liddy's words on top of a nice beat. Now we have Palin's Alaskonquista and her participation in the Alaskan Independence Party.

"What America Do You Want to Live In?" at Immigration Prof Blog.

A new online ad released by America's Voice presents two different visions of America. One vision recognizes our country's long tradition of welcoming immigrants and being supportive of all individuals in our nation who are seeking a better life. The second vision describes America as a nation that preaches intolerance and hate and relies on fear-mongering instead of facts.

WHAT PART OF (the) LEGAL (system) DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? at Standing FIRM. Also VIDEO: All Americana (parts 1 and 2) and UPDATE: Postville Plant Won't Learn its Lesson.

Call To Action - March and Protest: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 08:35:17 AM EDT

Peaceful Border March to Protest the Border Wall Aug 27 - Aug 31, 2008 at Immigration Talk With A Mexican American.

Latinas and Allies, Join/Organize Protests at YOUR local I.C.E. Offices at La Chola.

It is imperative that we send a message to I.C.E., President Bush and the upcoming Democratic Party Convention that there must be AN IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON ALL RAIDS, DEPORTATIONS, INCARCERATIONS AND SEPARATION OF FAMILIES. - FRIDAY, AUGUST 22ND at 4:00 PM. 

Also Update on sexist racism of antiwar.com.

Latin@s and Allies: Join/Organize Protests at Your Local ICE Offices at Problem Chylde.

Texas Education: Arming Teachers to Teach at Para Justicia y Libertad. Only in Texas! A local school board, Harrold Independent School District, in rural North Texas unanimously passed the policy to allow its teachers and staff to carry concealed hand guns to school.

How do you make a conservative believe in global warming?: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Wed Aug 13, 2008 at 09:26:03 AM EDT

We all know that CIS (Center for Immigration Studies) was created by John Tanton of FAIR and any data coming from that group is going to be heavily biased against migrants. I'm sure they go into "research" mode with "[social ill] + [biased and made-up 'facts' and figures] = immigrants are to blame" written on their chalkboard like some complex mathematical equation. I wonder if there's some anti-migrant Will Hunting that comes in from time to time and solves the equation for them. "How do you like them apples?"

Faux Think Tank claims Immigrant Farts Cause Global Warming at Culture Kitchen.

They have such incredibly stupid "data" includes factors like "immigrant emissions". Tell me they're not talking about José's and Tanya's farts?

Immigration leads to Global Warming? Nonsense! at No Borders and Binaries. I believe the following quote from this post sums it all up:

Q: How do you make a conservative believe in global warming?
A: Blame it on immigrants

Update on Isabel Garcia : Her Job Targetted by Jon (In)Justice at Vivir Latino. Also read Economic Slowdown is Affecting Latinos Hard.

Dying In The Fields: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Thu Aug 07, 2008 at 08:55:36 AM EDT

For the nation's migrant farmworkers, high temps creating a "Black Summer" at Latina Lista. Tragically the people who give us life through working the fields are experience much physical stress and five have died in three months.

Sadly, even with these deaths, new stories of workers being misled, taken advantage of, forced to live in squalor conditions, deprived of sufficient water, breaks and shade, exposed to lethal pesticides and dangerous equipment are heard every week.

Democracy Now featured a story of illegal tactics used by U.S recruiters yesterday. In one case the recruiter, rather than being punished (though they claim he was), was made commander of a recruiting center. Given that most see the Iraq war as terrible and unjust it's no wonder nobody's signing up to go. U.S. Military Recruitment Tactics: Kidnapping High School Kids? at Dream Act Texas. Also read Postville: Child Labor isn't Kosher on charges that Agriprocessors violated child labor laws.

No Human Being Is Illegal: Pro-Migrant SanctuarySphere

by: symsess

Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:19:18 AM EDT

No Human Being Is Illegal, by Professor Peter Rachleff, at Western MA Coalition for Immigrant & Worker Rights. (direct link to article)

The Changing Face of American Immigrants at Immigration Talk With A Mexican American on Somalian refugees coming to call America home.

The Sorrow and the Pity at Wild Chihuahuas.

For the last several weeks, I have been rendered pretty much mute by the sheer scale of injustice, corruption, cynicism, and, yes, treason, represented by the US establishment's response to illegal immigration.

Latino Soldier's Sad Homecoming at Vivir Latino. Also Undocumented Residents of Hurricane Impacted Areas Need to "be careful" with FEMA and Texas Thumbs Nose to International Community, Set to Execute Mexican National.

thoughts from the AILA conference

by: yave begnet

Sat Jun 28, 2008 at 03:33:00 AM EDT

NAFTA, Unions, Community, Immigration, Swing Votes

by: American Blues

Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 18:33:02 PM EDT

Southwestern moderates view McCain favorably on immigration, but not his party base.  By going on the offensive with immigration in IN and NC Dems can attack the Republican base in new swing states, build bridges between unions and Latinos, and frame the immigration debate for the fall.